Safety concerns contribute to removal of Flaxmere trees

Safety considerations have
contributed to the need to remove a number of mature trees
in Chatham Road Flaxmere.

Hastings District Council is to
remove approximately 40 trees on Chatham Road between the
intersections with Columbus Crescent, due to their declining
state.

Parks and Property Services Manager Colin Hosford
says “Recent monitoring of the state of the trees in the
stand closest to the roadside has revealed that many are
showing signs of serious decline. This could cause limb
breakage in strong winds which raises safety concerns,
particularly for pedestrians using the nearby
footpath.”

“We believe that it is prudent to remove a
number of the worst affected trees at this time and then
continue monitoring the remainder over the next 12 – 24
months to ensure that their decline doesn’t get to a point
where they also cause safety concerns,” Colin Hosford
says.

“Trees go through a number of phases during their
growth cycle before going into decline. Once they enter the
decline stage there is little that can be done to turn back
the clock and removal for safety reasons is often the only
option. Unfortunately, the Chatham Road trees have reached
the decline stage.”

The stumps will be removed at a
later date and a time frame for any reinstatement is still
to be determined.

Safety fencing and a traffic management
plan will be put in place to ensure the safety of the public
during the removal. The project will begin on Monday
3rd March and is expected to take around 2 weeks
(weather
dependent).

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